Flexo Printing Machine: Customers have become more cautious when it comes to the quality of their products, especially hygienic products. That’s why printing on such products has become important.
In this competitive market, package printing can help businesses of all sizes and niches to elevate their brand presence and persuade customers to purchase. A study also reveals that 7 out of 10 customers make their purchasing decisions influenced by the product packaging.
That’s the power of printing. It can boost product marketability and improve brand awareness.
Flexographic printing or flexo printing is used to print on non-porous substrates like food packaging, diapers, etc. The process uses a flexible printing plate that also helped in its naming and carried using a flexo printing machine.
The machine is popular in the printing industry and helps manufacturers obtain high-quality print in one go. It can print on hundreds of products within minutes without compromising the print quality.
If you are considering entering the printing industry and want to ensure better growth over the years, investing in a flexographic printing industry can be your best bet.
To help you in your endeavor, this article will discuss everything you need to know about a flexo printing machine.
What Is A Flexographic Printing Machine?
The flexo printing press is known for its efficiency and consistent quality printing. It can serve its purpose both in medium and long-run applications.
Flexo is used more than other web-fed technologies deployed throughout the printing landscape. It uses flexible photopolymer printing plates to print images on numerous substrates.
The machine is widely used for labels and packaging and is a reliable option for ensuring high-quality print results. The method is similar to letterpress based on how it works, except that the ink volume is controlled by a laser engraving inking roller known as an anilox roller. The machine has a relief image plate mounted onto a rotating cylinder that collects then deposits ink onto the substrate with each revolution.
The printing plates are of flexible polymer material and can withstand millions of impressions. They are durable and can facilitate numerous printing cycles if stored correctly. The process can be carried roll to roll, or roll to sheet, and capable of working at a speed of over 150 meters per minute. It involves using UV cured inks and a broad array of optional in-line operations & adornments available.
The Mains Of A Flexo Printing Machine
Ink
The inks used in flexo printing are usually solvent-based, water-based, or UV cured. The choice of the right ink can be made depending on the work type, length of the run, and sometimes determining the substrate type. The process allows different ink viscosities enabling manufacturers to use specialist inks, food-grade inks, and environment-friendly inks for light-fast outdoor labeling, security print, fluorescent & metallic effects, and others.
Plates
The plates incorporated in the printing process are made from photopolymer materials and are usually exposed using ‘computer to plate’ CTP technology. The exposed design creates a relief image on the flexo plate, which is then transferred to the print cylinder. As the cylinder rotates, the ink from the anilox roller is transferred onto the flexo plate and then the substrate. The process speeds up the printing process without making any compromise on quality.
Substrates
The printing press can print on porous substrates like paper, cardboard, and fabric as well as on non-porous substrates like cellophane, foil, and metallic. To obtain high print quality, the substrate is fed into the machine in a roll form. Then, it is monitored and controlled, allowing the ink to leave the image carefully and optimally on it.
Advantages Of Using A Flexo Printing Press
Wide range of inks
In the flexographic printing process, manufacturers can use numerous ink types depending on the application and follow processes. You can choose between water-based, solvent-based, and UV-curable inks that will determine the quality of the final product.
Another thing to consider is ink drying which constitutes a major part of the printing process. The machine allows different ink viscosities, ensuring the quick drying of images and enabling lower ink consumption.
Versatile printing
The machine can print solid colors and patterns on multiple substrates like porous, non-porous, absorbent, non-absorbent, rough, and flat. Plus, it allows color-to-color registration on extensible substrates in case a C.I. configuration is required.
Efficiency
The printing process is fast. Once you set up the machine in the production unit, using quick-drying and automation can help you achieve great levels of efficiency.
Apart from this, the process helps you explore the possibility of presetting the amount of ink to be used. This will help you use only the necessary amount of ink, eliminate wastage, and thus reduce the overall printing costs.
The best quality image production
The machine works at high-speed without tattering the print quality. It ensures clear and fine prints on both porous and non-porous substrates.
The credit of high-quality prints goes to the new developments in flexo printing technology. With finer anilox line screenings, enhanced inks, repro tools, you can create sharp shadows and highlights and obtain images that are of the quality that consumers expect from a top-of-the-range brand.
Low production costs
Flexography printing has lower operating costs because of the lower material costs, availability of cheap labor, and the durability of plates. Moreover, there are technologies that help reduce the wastage of material and support the successful set of the machine.
All these factors also boost production speed, along with ensuring the quality of the final product. The machine offers you a cost-effective way to print and add more to the ROI.
Printing Business
If you want to expand your printing business or start a new one, then the latest model of the press is what will be most useful. There are many manufacturers who make these machines available for purchase from all over with different capabilities and prices respectively so choose wisely!
If you are planning to purchase an offset printing machine with the latest technologies then you can opt for ‘Fairprint India’. It is one of the famous manufacturers and suppliers of Bag Making Machine and Offset printing machines in India. Along with offset printing machines, you can also choose a flexo printing machine.
Difference Between Offset Printing and Flexo Printing Presses
Ink: In contrast to the offset press, flexo printing is capable of working with different types of inks. These include oil-based and water-based ink along with UV curable ones too!
Maintenance: Plates used in offset printing machines are no different than regular paper plates. They can also degrade when left alone and require periodic maintenance to ensure they stay strong enough for day-to-day usage!
Affordability: Flexographic print carriers are a little cheaper to create and more durable than offset printing plates. This means they can be reused many times, making them an excellent choice for businesses who need their prints delivered on time but don’t have unlimited funds!
Conclusion
When it’s about expanding the printing capacity, using a flexo printing machine can be your best bet. The flexo printing process ensures high-quality printing in the least time. It helps you lower the production cost and attain higher profits.
We hope that the article has provided you with everything you need to know about the flexo printing machine. If you still have any questions to ask, do let us know in the comments. TheBlogulator.com
